In a significant development, 84 Canadians along with their family members have successfully exited the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing, as confirmed by government officials. This evacuation marks the latest effort in Canada’s ongoing mission to assist its citizens and their relatives amid escalating tensions in the region.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly conveyed the news via a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), on Sunday evening. In her statement, Minister Joly expressed gratitude towards the dedicated staff involved in this critical operation. “I want to thank all of our staff, including those working in the Emergency Watch and Response Center, for ensuring their safe passage to Cairo,” she said.
This recent evacuation follows closely on the heels of a prior announcement that indicated the inclusion of 135 individuals with Canadian ties in an approved list for departure. The list, revealed earlier on Sunday, was part of Canada’s concerted efforts to aid its nationals amidst the crisis. However, the exact number of those departing on Sunday was not immediately clear.
Global Affairs Canada, in an update on Friday, had reported that 376 Canadians, permanent residents, and their relatives had been successfully evacuated from Gaza. With this latest development, the number surpasses 400, highlighting Canada’s ongoing commitment to its citizens’ safety in conflict zones.
